News 20.11.2020

Need To Know

Net-a-Porter starts a retreat on Animal Crossing, Lynk & Co creates a car club with a difference and restaurant gift cards look set to get a seasonal boost.

Lynk & Co’s Club Amsterdam fuses retail and hospitality

Club Amsterdam by Lynk & Co, The Netherlands
Club Amsterdam, Lynk & Co, Netherlands
Club Amsterdam by Lynk & Co, The Netherlands

The Netherlands – Automobile brand Lynk & Co has opened its flagship club on Amsterdam's historic Rokin street with the aim of disrupting traditional car dealerships.

Moving past the rigid confines of traditional automotive retail, the brand has created a community space that also sells cars, or in this case, just one car – the 01 compact SUV hybrid or plug-in hybrid – which is hidden inside a caged structure.

The Amsterdam Club also boasts movable components made from re-used metal in order to provide space for future events the brand is looking to host including DJ sets, fashion shows and cocktail mixers. The décor inside the space can be purchased, as can brand apparel.

The unique fusion of hospitality and retail is designed to create an emotive response that consumers will associate with the brand. ‘It embodies everything we stand for,’ says Alain Visser, the brand's CEO. ‘A unique experience, sustainable practices and putting the community first.’

For more, discover other brands that are re-imagining car showrooms as exclusive clubhouses in Supercar Clubs.

Net-a-Porter launches luxury island on Animal Crossing

Net-a-Porter and Animal Crossing: New Horizons Net-a-Porter and Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Net-a-Porter and Animal Crossing: New Horizons Net-a-Porter and Animal Crossing: New Horizons

UK – Net-a-Porter has partnered with Animal Crossing to create the luxury retailer’s first digital island within the popular game.

The Net-a-Porter island invites players to explore a series of virtual attractions inspired by the physical Net-a-Porter headquarters in London, such as a photography studio and an editorial room. It offers style-conscious gamers a new form of digital escapism, and players will also be able to fit themselves out in virtual looks from an exclusive capsule collection designed by Isabel Marant.

The collaboration builds on an evolving partnership between Net-a-Porter and Animal Crossing, which previously made streetwear available to purchase within the Nintendo game. ‘We always embrace creativity, in all forms, in order to deliver exceptional experiences to our customers,’ says Elizabeth von der Goltz, global buying director at Net-a-Porter.

Similarly, our Omnilux Lifestyles macrotrend explores how the luxury experiences of the future will increasingly revolve around virtual touchpoints.

Pornhub’s digital sex education series

Pornhub Sex Ed, US Pornhub Sex Ed, US

US – Pornhub has launched a new online sexual wellness series: Pornhub Sex Ed.

Working with certified sex therapists, the 11 episodes will cover topics like how to use contraceptive methods effectively, and how to have safe sex during the global pandemic.

The short videos will be narrated by experts, who will approach each subject with a realistic point of view shifting past the glamourisation of porn to provide technical sex education.

‘For many people, their first real exposure to sexual imagery is from popular culture, where dramatisation and entertainment value distort what real sex is like,’ says Corey Price, vice-president of Pornhub. ‘That’s why the Pornhub Sexual Wellness Centre created this new video series: to provide a go-to resource for people to learn about how to have sex safely and get visual answers to common questions about sexual experiences.’

Our Sex Re-education microtrend covers how Generation Z are taking control of their sexual education, seeking a realistic and inclusive perspective on sex.

Stat: Restaurant gift cards to be best-sellers this holiday season

Omsom, US Omsom, US

A new report from Blackhawk Network shows that online restaurant gift cards are becoming more popular as the holiday seasons approaches.

According to the study, consumers are projected to spend 29% more on restaurant e-commerce gift cards during the holiday period than they did in 2019. Overall, online gift card purchases across industries is expected to grow 21%, highlighting how dining gift cards in particular are set to become the best-selling among US consumers.

With widespread restrictions and closures resulting from the pandemic, the potential influx of gift card revenue could prove vital for restaurants relying on alternative revenue streams. As we explore in our Pandemic Dining Market, Covid-19 is changing the cultural, social and economic landscape of dining and hospitality spaces.

Previous News Articles
AI billboard visualises real-time sun damage in UV awareness campaign

News

AI billboard visualises real-time sun damage in UV awareness campaign

A new study by the British Skin Foundation reveals that 38% of Britons have already been sunburnt in 2025 – with Gen Z (35%) and Millennials (30%) ...
Advertising : Health And Wellness : Beauty
Wimbledon elevates fan engagement with AI-powered digital experiences

News

Wimbledon elevates fan engagement with AI-powered digital experiences

The All England Lawn Tennis Club and IBM have unveiled an AI-powered experience designed to deepen audience engagement and enhance match under...
Wimbledon : Sports : Entertainment
Stat: Gen Alpha lead the charge in back-to-school shopping

News

Stat: Gen Alpha lead the charge in back-to-school shopping

Children and teenagers are now the primary decision-makers in back-to-school shopping, according to a new global study by SuperAwesome.
Retail : Gen Alpha : Statistic
The Fashion Innovation Agency debuts 3D garment volumetric capture service

News

The Fashion Innovation Agency debuts 3D garment volumetric capture service

The Fashion Innovation Agency at London College of Fashion has launched Reskinning Reality, the UK’s first 3D garment volumetric capture service ai...
Fashion : Technology : Virtual Fashion
Elemis brings beauty trackside with new Aston Martin F1 collection

News

Elemis brings beauty trackside with new Aston Martin F1 collection

Premium beauty brand Elemis is stepping further into the world of Formula 1 with the launch of four exclusive skincare collections in partnership w...
Aston Martin : Elemis : Formula 1
Stat: US cinema execs predict the end of traditional moviegoing within 20 years 

News

Stat: US cinema execs predict the end of traditional moviegoing within 20 years 

Over half of cinema executives in the US believe the traditional cinema model will no longer be viable within the next 20 years, according to a new...
Movies : Entertainment : Stat
 New clubhouse for women’s sports retail opens in London

News

New clubhouse for women’s sports retail opens in London

A new retail concept is putting women’s sport centre stage this summer.
Sports : Retail : Fashion
Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday : Fashion : Sustainability
Stat: Nearly half of women feel misunderstood by brands

News

Stat: Nearly half of women feel misunderstood by brands

Despite driving an estimated £25 trillion ($31.8 trillion, €29.4 trillion) in global discretionary spending, nearly half of women worldwide say bra...
Branding & Advertising : Brands : Retail
Modem’s Dream Recorder turns sleep into spatial storytelling

News

Modem’s Dream Recorder turns sleep into spatial storytelling

Dutch design studio Modem has unveiled Dream Recorder, an AI-powered device that transforms spoken memories of dreams into cinematic video se...
Technology : Modem : Dreams
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN